Regina’s return to the Esso Cup kicks off with strong win over LHFDQ Nord

by Vanessa Basran

BURNABY, B.C. – The effort was equal on both sides of the ice at Bill Copeland Sports Centre, but the edge belonged to the Regina Rebels (West) on Sunday afternoon, as they skated an impressive game to snag a 5-2 win over LHFDQ Nord (Québec), in the opening game for both teams at the 2013 Esso Cup.

Chelsea Perepeluk (Regina, Sask.) cracked the scoreboard first for the Rebels at 4:05 into the game, kicking off an exciting period for players and fans alike. It quickly became clear that both teams were in it for a battle to win, but Regina’s efforts went on to result in two more goals before the first 20 minutes were done.

Emma Waldenberger (Moose Jaw, Sask.) lined up a beautiful shot in the middle of the first to make it 2-0 for Regina, with blueliner Leah Bohlken (Moose Jaw, Sask.) following up at 19:40 to make it 3-0. But Québec kept at it despite the three-goal deficit, and Audrey Belzile (St- Hyacinthe, Que.) was able to narrow it to 3-1 with three seconds left on the clock in the period .

Both teams continued to fight hard throughout the middle frame, with the team from Québec creating some great chances in front of the net, but the game continued to favour the Regina Rebels. Hannah Heisler (Moose Jaw, Sask.) notched one at 13:49 and Teah Anderson (Regina, Sask.) adding another at 16:43, making it 5-1 to close the second period.

The third started off strong, with both teams coming out strong off the puck drop. The LHFDQ Nord kept digging for the puck in a fight for a comeback, and as a result Valérie Audet (St-Bruno, Que.) was able to get her team back on the score sheet midway through the period.

But time ran out to quickly for the Québec squad, with the Western reps playing strong offensively and defensively to earn the win, and three points on Esso Cup standings. The energy on the ice from both teams was commendable, with Anderson receiving player of the game honours for Regina and Picard taking the same recognition for LHFDQ Nord.

Both teams are back on the ice Monday, April 22, with the Regina Rebels, who hosted the 2010 Esso Cup in their hometown and return to the tournament for the first time since, taking on the North Bay Ice Boltz (Ontario) at 12 p.m. PT. The LHFDQ Nord face off against host team the Fraser Valley Phantom in the 7:30 p.m. PT feature game tomorrow.